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College community developer quizzed by residents, tenants
By John J. Hopkins Times
Tenants who will soon be displaced from the Kensington Village Apartments and residents who own property near the extensive complex voiced their opinions on a plan to transform the apartments into a gated community for college students.
The plan by developer Mark Chason would house roughly 1,200 college students, most of whom are expected to be upperclassmen and graduate students.
Chason said that Kensington Village, built by his father and grandfather, is in need of an upgrade.
"After 60 years, it's ready for a new life," Chason said, adding that a college facility makes sense because there are "already a lot of students living here."
Creating the gated community would require Cheektowaga to abandon Kenville Road and parts of Marc and Betty lanes, where the complex sits.
It was at the start of Monday's public hearing on the possible road abandonment when residents voiced their opinions on the project.
Supervisor James J. Jankowiak allowed the individuals from the large contingent who appeared at Town Hall to speak.
Many of the apartment tenants and neighbors said that Chason did not communicate his plans well, adding that the public hearing was their first opportunity to discuss the project.
Neighbors wondered how the project would affect their property values. They also had concerns over safety, noise, traffic, privacy fences, storm water runoff and a buffer area that is maintained by Kensington Village but is owned by a utility company.
"We were given very short notice," Mary Emmerson of Southgate Road said to Chason. "We'd like to walk the property to show you what you don't see on paper. People don't mind change. They mind not being informed."
Meanwhile, some tenants complained that they were not provided adequate time or compensation to coordinate a move.
This came just minutes after Nancy Whalen, a member of Chason's group, said that they were "working to relocate" residents.
Whalen said that the group has negotiated a 20 percent discount with a local moving company and that the last month's rent would be waived. They also hope to refund security deposits within two weeks, instead of the one month allowed for by law.
However, one tenant who already received her two-months notice said that the developers have done little to assist her with relocation.
Genesta Wilson said that she received from the apartment complex a yellow envelope that only contained information for a Web site that lists available apartments.
"I have to pay apartment application fees and security deposits," Wilson said. "I can't afford this. I could be homeless by the end of next month."
Michele Fogarty has lived in Kensington Village for dozens of years and said she had hoped to continue living there through retirement.
"It's the unknown that frightens us," Fogarty said.
Sue Shaver of Roswell Road was skeptical that the gated community would improve property values, especially for residents who live in the Tudor-Campbell-Cedar roads area, bound on two sides by the Kensington Expressway and a cemetery.
"That's where you would want to buy a house? Next to 1,200 students," Shaver said. "I don't see the value going up."
Most of the neighbors who spoke were from Southgate Road. Theron Howard was concerned with traffic. He noted that drivers already ignore a stop sign at the intersection of Southgate and Betty Lane.
Traffic concerns along Eggert Road were also noted by residents. That street gets congested during morning and afternoon commutes. Adding college students traveling to and from classes will increase the congestion, they said.
Chason said that Capstone Management, which will run the facility, is one of the largest student-facility managers in the United States. He said he was confident that parties and music will not be an issue.
The gated community would include security personnel staffed at the main entrance at Eggert Road during "critical times," such as overnight. Security cameras will be placed throughout the complex.
If Cheektowaga abandons the road and its infrastructure, Chason will pay the town a fee. The community's owners would then be responsible for road maintenance.
The developer has already reached emergency services agreements with the Cheektowaga Police Department and Cleveland Hill Fire Department.
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